Which motocross bike to buy?

StewtheBassman · 10-04-2005, 11:44 PM

We just plowed out about one kilometre of 10 foot wide track out back in our hilly field. It's for my wife's horse training, but I don't see why I shouldn't sneak in a little motocross when she isn't lookng!

Question is, what do I get? I'm 6'1", 195, in good shape. My only experience is on road bikes. I don't intend to do crazy stunts, I just want to get out and thrash around a bit, maybe build a couple of jumps and some cool berms and the like.

A pure "off road" bike is cheap and doesn't require licensing nor insurance up here. A dual purpose would get me on the street, but then high insurance rates and licensing would apply. Also I would be tempted to ride it with all the crazies up here, and I swore I wouldn't street ride until my girls are grown up.

Are all the Jap brands equally great? Is a 125cc too small for me? Of course my dream bike is a R1150GS, but that is for later! Even a F650 Dakar would be nice, but still too expensive for this use.

If I could find a used bike around here that would be cool, but I'm afraid that it will have had the crap kicked out of it already, and I'll have nothing to use shortly after I buy it.

romeo26 · 10-05-2005, 01:39 AM

the best bike to go with is a honda 2005 crf 250r. i forgot what mag has a review of all the bikes in the same class pitted together and the crf 250r came on top, of every catagory. go with 4 stroke because 2 stroke is to easy to blow an engine (happened to me). but rite now iam sellin my bike to buy the crf 250r. i am 5'3" and 130 pounds and i cant even touch the ground on the bike, and my weight doesnt even affect the suspension (you dont need to beable to touch the ground with ur feet unless u like to drag ur feet on the track). these bikes can take a huge beating so dont worry ittl be fine. since u want a dual purpose honda also has a model that is legal on the street and dirt use too. oh forgot yamaha 4 stroke bikes are harder to start then honda bikes.

scottz5 · 10-05-2005, 07:29 AM

CRF450 your a big dude you need a big bike. A CRF250 will be too small for you very quick. IMO I would try to get a used 125 and then move up.

scottz5 · 10-05-2005, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romeo26

the best bike to go with is a honda 2005 crf 250r. i forgot what mag has a review of all the bikes in the same class pitted together and the crf 250r came on top, of every catagory. go with 4 stroke because 2 stroke is to easy to blow an engine (happened to me). but rite now iam sellin my bike to buy the crf 250r. i am 5'3" and 130 pounds and i cant even touch the ground on the bike, and my weight doesnt even affect the suspension (you dont need to beable to touch the ground with ur feet unless u like to drag ur feet on the track). these bikes can take a huge beating so dont worry ittl be fine. since u want a dual purpose honda also has a model that is legal on the street and dirt use too. oh forgot yamaha 4 stroke bikes are harder to start then honda bikes.

I ride a 2smoke and they are hard to kill and cheap to repair!

StewtheBassman · 10-05-2005, 10:47 AM

Thanks guys. I forgot to mention that Honda is my first choice just by word of mouth and what I have read over the years.

I would prefer 4 stroke also, because I believe that would be quieter than a 2 stroke as well, and I don't want to piss off the neighbours too much, I believe they are also cleaner burning.

I would be tempted just to jump on either a 250 or a 450...I wouldn't do anything too hairbrained for starters on a 450.

Thanks! I'll follow up if and when I get something!

romeo26 · 10-05-2005, 05:09 PM

scottz5
yah they are sorta hard to kill, but it depends on how/ where u ride. i killed my 2002 yz 125 motor at the desert cuse i forgot to let off the throtle. but i think its nearly imposibale(sp) to kill a 2stroke on a track!!

scottz5 · 10-05-2005, 05:36 PM

Very true a lot of soft sand here and you always have to upshift.

StewtheBassman · 10-05-2005, 07:38 PM

Across the street in the forest here there is a small sandpit that other 'crossers go through, but most of the rest of the forest trails are hardpack and loam.

Get this, I went to Montreal's biggest motorcycle store, all they had remotely MX was a Kawa650 KLR, and a couple of used BMW FS650s....used to have a whole lineup of MX bikes. The whole space is taken up by 30% Bimmers (very nice) and the rest, yup, Harleys. My how times have changed since 4 years ago!

StewtheBassman · 10-05-2005, 11:51 PM

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/04jun...004crf450r.htm

A very good review of the 450.

LunaticFringe · 12-09-2005, 04:21 PM

I'll side with romeo on that one, but maybe consider the XR series instead of the CRF. The XR doesn't have the suspension or power of the CRF, but will still give any rider, beginner or pro, a whole lotta fun. Plus, you just can't go wrong with the Honda 4 stroke, they are legendary in the amount of abuse they can take.

10-04-2005, 11:44 PM	#1
StewtheBassman Major General 210 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: 2011 X5d 421,000kms Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hudson, Quebec iTrader: (1)	Which motocross bike to buy? We just plowed out about one kilometre of 10 foot wide track out back in our hilly field. It's for my wife's horse training, but I don't see why I shouldn't sneak in a little motocross when she isn't lookng! Question is, what do I get? I'm 6'1", 195, in good shape. My only experience is on road bikes. I don't intend to do crazy stunts, I just want to get out and thrash around a bit, maybe build a couple of jumps and some cool berms and the like. A pure "off road" bike is cheap and doesn't require licensing nor insurance up here. A dual purpose would get me on the street, but then high insurance rates and licensing would apply. Also I would be tempted to ride it with all the crazies up here, and I swore I wouldn't street ride until my girls are grown up. Are all the Jap brands equally great? Is a 125cc too small for me? Of course my dream bike is a R1150GS, but that is for later! Even a F650 Dakar would be nice, but still too expensive for this use. If I could find a used bike around here that would be cool, but I'm afraid that it will have had the crap kicked out of it already, and I'll have nothing to use shortly after I buy it. __________________ Last edited by StewtheBassman; 10-04-2005 at 11:46 PM.. Reason: spelling
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-05-2005, 01:39 AM	#2
romeo26 First Lieutenant 44 Rep 354 Posts Drives: e30 325 (no lette) Join Date: May 2005 Location: anaheim, cali iTrader: (0)	the best bike to go with is a honda 2005 crf 250r. i forgot what mag has a review of all the bikes in the same class pitted together and the crf 250r came on top, of every catagory. go with 4 stroke because 2 stroke is to easy to blow an engine (happened to me). but rite now iam sellin my bike to buy the crf 250r. i am 5'3" and 130 pounds and i cant even touch the ground on the bike, and my weight doesnt even affect the suspension (you dont need to beable to touch the ground with ur feet unless u like to drag ur feet on the track). these bikes can take a huge beating so dont worry ittl be fine. since u want a dual purpose honda also has a model that is legal on the street and dirt use too. oh forgot yamaha 4 stroke bikes are harder to start then honda bikes.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2005, 07:29 AM	#3
scottz5 Lieutenant Colonel 97 Rep 1,730 Posts Drives: 13 F10 535xi & 11.75 E93 M3 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	CRF450 your a big dude you need a big bike. A CRF250 will be too small for you very quick. IMO I would try to get a used 125 and then move up. __________________ 13 F10 535xi JB/B working on it 11.75 E93 M3 MR/Black Stock (wifey) 11 F10 535i AW/CB Mods Gone
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2005, 10:47 AM	#5
StewtheBassman Major General 210 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: 2011 X5d 421,000kms Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hudson, Quebec iTrader: (1)	Thanks guys. I forgot to mention that Honda is my first choice just by word of mouth and what I have read over the years. I would prefer 4 stroke also, because I believe that would be quieter than a 2 stroke as well, and I don't want to piss off the neighbours too much, I believe they are also cleaner burning. I would be tempted just to jump on either a 250 or a 450...I wouldn't do anything too hairbrained for starters on a 450. Thanks! I'll follow up if and when I get something! __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2005, 05:09 PM	#6
romeo26 First Lieutenant 44 Rep 354 Posts Drives: e30 325 (no lette) Join Date: May 2005 Location: anaheim, cali iTrader: (0)	scottz5 yah they are sorta hard to kill, but it depends on how/ where u ride. i killed my 2002 yz 125 motor at the desert cuse i forgot to let off the throtle. but i think its nearly imposibale(sp) to kill a 2stroke on a track!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2005, 05:36 PM	#7
scottz5 Lieutenant Colonel 97 Rep 1,730 Posts Drives: 13 F10 535xi & 11.75 E93 M3 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Very true a lot of soft sand here and you always have to upshift. __________________ 13 F10 535xi JB/B working on it 11.75 E93 M3 MR/Black Stock (wifey) 11 F10 535i AW/CB Mods Gone
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2005, 07:38 PM	#8
StewtheBassman Major General 210 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: 2011 X5d 421,000kms Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hudson, Quebec iTrader: (1)	Across the street in the forest here there is a small sandpit that other 'crossers go through, but most of the rest of the forest trails are hardpack and loam. Get this, I went to Montreal's biggest motorcycle store, all they had remotely MX was a Kawa650 KLR, and a couple of used BMW FS650s....used to have a whole lineup of MX bikes. The whole space is taken up by 30% Bimmers (very nice) and the rest, yup, Harleys. My how times have changed since 4 years ago! __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2005, 11:51 PM	#9
StewtheBassman Major General 210 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: 2011 X5d 421,000kms Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hudson, Quebec iTrader: (1)	http://www.motorcycledaily.com/04jun...004crf450r.htm A very good review of the 450. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2005, 04:21 PM	#10
LunaticFringe But Officer, I can explain... 3 Rep 1 Posts Drives: '06 330i / sparkling graphite Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Woodinville, Wa. iTrader: (0)	I'll side with romeo on that one, but maybe consider the XR series instead of the CRF. The XR doesn't have the suspension or power of the CRF, but will still give any rider, beginner or pro, a whole lotta fun. Plus, you just can't go wrong with the Honda 4 stroke, they are legendary in the amount of abuse they can take.
	Appreciate 0 Quote